November 25, 2020

Farmington Health Services tested all residents and staff for COVID-19 this week. Staff were tested twice, Monday and Wednesday. We are following recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

• Trinity Care Center – 0 positive residents, 1 positive employees
• Trinity Terrace – 2 positive tenants, 0 positive employees
• Trinity Suites – 0 positive tenants, 0 positive employees

Please consider how your Thanksgiving plans impact others. We encourage you to stay home and gather with people within your household. Most importantly, visit with your friends and loved ones in our care center virtually as much as possible. Share family recipes over the phone or Zoom. Send letters and photos instead of an in-person visit during our current visiting limitations. For more ways you can connect with your loved one or to schedule a virtual visit, please contact Joy at 651.460.1166.

This Thanksgiving season we want to thank our residents, family and friends for their support and prayers throughout the COVID Pandemic. We thank you for your continued patience and the sacrifices you have made.  With you we will work through this pandemic. Remember to wear a mask, social distance when possible and practice proper hand hygiene. On behalf of our entire team, please stay safe and healthy.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns.

Trinity Campus Administrator

Elizabeth Letich

651.460.1138

eletich@trinity.sfhs.org

Dear Family and Friends,

We recently learned that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the federal Medicare agency (CMS) are advising against residents leaving their care center for holiday visits. As we continue to fight against COVID-19, we ask that you not take your loved ones out this Thanksgiving.

By not taking your loved one out for a holiday visit, you will help us in protecting the health of everyone who lives and works here. One of the best things that you can do for your family this holiday season is to not gather in groups and keep everyone safe by wearing a facemask when you do.

We know just how special the holiday season can be and spending time with family is what adds meaning to our celebrations.  However, we need your help to protect our residents, our staff, and yourself during this pandemic’s risky time by limiting our contact with the broader community.  As Governor Walz told us the other night, the COVID-19 surge is at a dangerous level in Minnesota.

This past year has been a challenge like no other and we deeply appreciate the sacrifices that you and your family have already made during these past months. The hope of a COVID-19 vaccine is promising, but until that time we all need to use extra caution to slow the spread of this highly contagious disease.

If a resident does choose to go to a holiday gathering outside of our care center, the resident will need to quarantine in his or her room for 14-days after returning as a necessary precaution. Even when being very careful and following all of the guidelines, the risk of being infected when being out in the general public is high.

Our staff is committed to keeping you connected during the holiday seasons. We have a variety of activities planned that will engage our residents and are doing all we can to facilitate alternative means of communication between you and your loved one. If you have any gifts or cards you would like to give to your loved one or wish to schedule a virtual visit, please contact Activities Dept.

We know that this news may cause concern or that you may have questions about what we are doing to keep everyone safe and healthy. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me. 

Sincerely,

Trinity Campus Administrator

Elizabeth Letich

651.460.1138

eletich@trinity.sfhs.org

November 20, 2020

Farmington Health Services tested all residents and staff for COVID-19 this week. Staff were tested twice, Monday and Thursday.  All tests results from Monday have been returned; however, Thursday tests results are still pending. You will be notified if there are any additional positive cases.  We continue to follow all recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

• Trinity Care Center – 0 positive residents, 0 positive employees
• Trinity Terrace – 5 positive tenants, 0 positive employees
• Trinity Suites – 0 positive tenants, 0 positive employees

Our county positivity rate has risen above 10% putting our care center in the “red zone.” According to CMS calculations, all Minnesota counties, but four, are now in the “red zone.” Being in the “red zone” requires our care center to routinely test our staff twice weekly. We are also required to suspend all indoor visits at this time. We encourage you to use alternate ways to connect with your loved ones such as Zoom, Facebook Portal, Phone, and Facetiming. To schedule your visit or for more information on our visitation policy, please contact Joy at 651.460.1166.

With hospital beds nearing capacity and healthcare staffing shortages, Governor Walz issued even more COVID restrictions this week. Restaurants, breweries, bowling alleys, movie theaters, and bars will be take-out only. Gyms will close and organized indoor sports will be suspended. We need your help to control the spread of the virus in our community. We encourage you to use masks, social distance and abide by the Governor’s Orders.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns.

Trinity Campus Administrator

Elizabeth Letich

651.460.1138

eletich@trinity.sfhs.org

Dear Family and Friends,

We regret to inform you that we have had three employees at Trinity Care Center test positive for COVID-19. These employees are currently self-quarantining at home. They will not be allowed to return to work until they recover from the virus; 10 days following positive test and 72 hours from last fever without using medication.

We will be testing again on Tuesday, November 17^th. We continue to work with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and are following COVID-19 recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Please contact me with any questions or concerns.

Trinity Campus Administrator

Elizabeth Letich

651.460.1138

eletich@trinity.sfhs.org

11/12/2020

This week all residents and staff were tested for COVID 19. As of today, we have had four staff members test positive with more employees removed from the schedule due to COVID 19 like symptoms or exposures.  All resident results have been returned and are negative. 

This week our county positivity rate has risen above 10%. With this upsurge, we are now testing all staff twice weekly. We will be testing all staff again this Friday, 11/13/2020 from 12p – 2p. We continue to work with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and are following COVID-19 recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

As a reminder any staff who may test positive will be quarantined at home and will not be allowed to return to work until they recover from the virus, are symptom free and pass the employee screening protocols. Our staff are equipped with specific training and personal protective equipment (PPE) to continue to provide safe, quality care, services and support to the residents of our community.

Any resident testing positive will be transferred to our COVID unit at TCC to receive care, providing there is a room available. The segregated COVID unit has a separate entrance for staff that work in that wing to ensure they have no contact with other residents and staff.  The unit is staffed with nurses and nursing assistants who will take on all other roles needed to provide care for our residents with COVID-19.

We encourage everyone in their efforts to control the spread of the virus including wearing masks, social distancing and the recent turning back of the dial by the State. 

Please contact me with any questions or concerns.

Trinity Campus Administrator

Elizabeth Letich

651.460.1138

eletich@trinity.sfhs.org

Dear Family and Friends,

As of today we were notified that two Trinity Terrace tenants and employees tested positive for COVID 19.  These tenants have been transferred out of the facility to receive care.

We continue to have aggressive procedures in place that includes masking, eyewear, gowns, distancing, and minimal contact.  Nursing Staff are only providing minimum cares to clients at this time, such as essential nursing services.  Showers, housekeeping and laundry are identified as non- essential at this time.  We urge you to encourage your loved one to remain in their apartments and report any COVID 19 related symptoms to staff immediately. 

We are currently testing symptomatic employees and residents.  All staff and employees will now be tested weekly in accordance to Our point Prevalence Testing, regardless of symptoms. 

Please contact me or Jackie Brula 651.252.2078 with any questions or concerns.

Trinity Campus Administrator

Elizabeth Letich

651.460.1138eletich@trinity.sfhs.org

Dear Family and Friends,

Trinity Care Center conducted Point Prevalence Testing (PPT) on Monday 11/2/20. This week we had four employees test positive for COVID-19. We have had no residents test positive at this time, with two results pending. We will be testing again on Monday 11/9/20. We follow all recommendations from MDH, CDC and CMS. 

Trinity Care Center is currently operating under quarantine and is not eligible for indoor visits at this time.  To schedule your visit or for more information about our visitation policy, please contact Joy Lauterbach at 651.460.1138. 

Our top priority is to support and protect our residents and dedicated caregivers. We have equipped our staff with the training and supplies needed to provide safe, quality care, services and support to our residents. We continue to urge everyone in our community to practice proper hand hygiene and safe physical distancing.

Please follow our Facebook page (@Farmington Health Services) or our website (www.sfhs.org) for all COVID updates and information on what is happening inside our care center. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Elizabeth Letich, Administrator, at 651-460-1138 or eletich@trinity.sfhs.org if you have any questions or concerns.

Dear Family and Friends,

Trinity Care Center conducted Point Prevalence Testing (PPT) on Monday 10/26/2020. All resident results are negative.  Most employee results have been returned and are negative.  We will be testing again on Monday 11/2/2020. We follow all recommendations from MDH, CDC and CMS.  Trinity Terrace and Trinity Suites continue to have no COVID 19 exposures.

Trinity Care Center has plans to start indoor visitation pending this week’s COVID testing results and the closing of the COVID unit.  Trinity Suites and Trinity Terrace will begin indoor visitation next week.  Notifications will go out to the resident’s responsible parties when indoor visitation begins.

While we welcome the new indoor visitation guidelines, we continue to monitor the COVID outbreak in our community and nearby counties. Even when not experiencing symptoms, you may test positive for COVID-19 and spread the virus without knowing. Some of the common standalone symptoms we’ve seen at Trinity include a runny nose, watery eyes or simply just a headache.  When visitation opens, visits are to be scheduled weekly through Joy Lauterbach at 651.460.1138.  Due to demand, we are only able to accommodate one visit per week with a resident.  We are requesting that families develop a family visitation schedule.  Indoor visits will look much like our outdoor visits but will be held inside.  Below are the core principles to visits.

• All visitors will be screened for signs and symptoms of Covid-19 (i.e. temperature checks, questions or observations about signs and symptoms) and visitation will be denied if the visitor does not pass the screening.
• Good hand hygiene (use of alcohol-based hand rub) will be used throughout visit.
• Social distancing of at least six feet between persons will occur.
• All visitors will use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as eyewear and a mask (covering eyes, nose and mouth) at all times inside the building regardless of social distance and may be provided by the care center as supplies are available. 
• Trinity requires all visitors to test for COVID 19 prior to visit.  Visitors must obtain their own tests within 2-3 days of scheduled visit providing proof of negative test upon entry.  The facility can provide testing at a cost of $75 per test.  It is recommended you reach out to your insurance provider to discuss coverage.
• Any items brought for the resident must be left with care center staff for disinfection and not passed to the resident during the visit.
• All visits must be pre-scheduled with the care center to assure residents are safely transferred and monitored during visits and that spaces are appropriately cleaned.
• The number of visitors per resident will be limited to two (based on the size and space of the area where visit is being conducted). 
• Visitation will occur in a designated space. Visitors should not leave this space during visit. 
• Visitors under the age of 12 must be in the control of adult visitors and must comply with social distancing, wearing PPE and use of hand sanitizer. 

Please follow our Facebook page (@Farmington Health Services) or our website (www.sfhs.org) for all COVID updates and information on what is happening inside our care center. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Elizabeth Letich, Administrator, at 651-460-1138 or eletich@trinity@sfhs.org if you have any questions or concerns.

Farmington Health Services tested residents and staff for COVID-19 at Trinity on 10/19/2020. We have been notified that three of our residents have tested positive for COVID-19.  We will be testing all residents and staff again on 10/26/20. We continue to follow all recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The residents testing positive for COVID-19 have been transferred to our COVID unit. As a reminder, staff that work in our segregated unit will not care for residents outside of the unit or interact with any employees that are providing direct care to residents outside of the unit. All staff in the segregated unit will be equipped with N95 masks, face shields and gowns. Staff will enter and exit the segregated unit from a separate door to prevent exposure to the rest of our care center, residents and employees. 

Due to the positive cases, we will discontinue to patio visits and open window visits for the care center at this time. We are allowing closed window visits and virtual visits at this time. Please contact Joy at 651-460-1166 to schedule your visit.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Letich

Administrator

651.460.1138eletich@trinity.sfhs.org